Get started with segments in ActiveCampaign

A segment is a targeted group of contacts based on a specific set of attributes or characteristics. In ActiveCampaign, you can build segments based on actions contacts did or did not take, field values, tags, and more. Segments are dynamic. This means that the set of contacts changes in real time depending on who meets or no longer meets the segment criteria.

 Segments are essential to email marketing - they make it possible to create and send highly personalized campaigns and other messaging to a set audience, helping you increase revenue, drive engagement, and improve your deliverability. 

This article explains how segments work in ActiveCampaign with the next steps to take, and a list of segment definitions.

Take note

This article covers the segment experience on the Segments page in your ActiveCampaign account. If you are still using legacy list segments (segments saved under Contacts > Lists > Segments), learn how to convert legacy list segments to the updated segment experience

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How segments work

You can use the segment builder to create segments. This builder is found in multiple areas of the platform, creating a familiar experience each time you need to create a segment.

The segment builder is available in the following locations in your account:

• Segments page (Contacts > Segments)
• Advanced search
• Campaign summary page
• Lead scoring
• Automation triggers
• Automation actions: 
  • If/Else
  • Wait (until conditions are matched)
  • Goal

While you can create segments anywhere the segment builder is available, you can only save segments from the Segments page, an advanced search, or a campaign summary page.

Where to find saved segments

Saved segments are managed on the Segments page in your ActiveCampaign account. To get there, click Contacts > Segments. From here, you can:

• Create, save, edit, delete, and manually refresh segments
• View AI-suggested segments 
• Check the number of contacts in each segment
• See when a segment was last edited and refreshed

Use conditions from saved segments to create new segments

You can apply the conditions of a saved segment to create new segments. This includes segments you’ve created as well as suggested segments from Active Intelligence. 

To add existing segment conditions to a new segment, click the “Add conditions from a saved segment” button, then select the saved segment you want to use. 

Segment Definitions

Segment: Noun: A group of contacts that meet specific conditions, including actions, website visits, field values, and contact tags. There are times we also use the term “segment” as a verb and mean (v) the division of contacts into groups (segments) that meet specific conditions.

Segments are dynamic. This means that the set of contacts changes in real time depending on who meets or no longer meets the segment criteria.

Condition: The rules that define how contacts are sorted into a segment. Contacts that meet the conditions of a segment are part of that segment.

Conditions are made up of three parts:

• The condition name (e.g., name, has tag, clicked link, etc.)
• The operator (e.g., “is”, “contains”, “is after”, etc.)
• The value (e.g., a free-text field, dropdown select, etc.)

Depending on the condition, the available operators and values may differ. All parts of the condition must be defined in order for it to be considered a valid condition that can be used within a Segment.

Multiple conditions can be combined with AND/OR logic and condition groups.

Logic: Also referred to as AND/OR Logic. Logic is used within a segment to define how multiple conditions should be combined:

• If the logic is set to AND, all conditions must be met in order for a contact to be considered a match
• If the logic is set to OR, only one condition must be met in order for a contact to be considered a match

All AND/OR logic must be consistent within the same condition group. Additional condition groups can be added to allow for another layer of AND/OR logic.

Learn how to use and/or conditions in ActiveCampaign segments.

Condition group: Group of conditions that follows the same logic. You cannot combine AND with OR logic in the same condition group. Additional condition groups can be added to allow for another layer of AND/OR logic.

Saved segments: Segments that have been saved from the Segments Overview page, Advanced Search, or Campaigns Overview page. You can find and manage your Saved Segments by clicking Contacts > Segments.

Segment builder: The tool within ActiveCampaign you use to create segments.

Segment library: The “Saved Segments” section and dropdown within the segment builder that stores saved segments and AI-suggested segments.

AI-suggested segments: Segments that are generated by AI based on user activity, behavior, and industry trends.

Legacy list segments: List-based segments created before September 30, 2024, managed under Contacts > Lists. In our updated segments experience, segments are no longer list-based and can be managed on the Segments Overview page.

To manage and use any legacy list segments moving forward, you must convert them to the updated experience. Learn how to convert legacy list segments to the updated segments experience.

Next Steps

Now that you have a good understanding of how segments work in ActiveCampaign, learn how to:

• Create and save segments
• Manage saved segments
• Convert your legacy list segments to the updated segments experience